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About Us

Meet the Team

Between us we have experience and knowledge in all areas of group support, community engagement, service delivery training, building management, marketing, social media amongst other things! We liaise with Mansfield District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, and have strong working links with the NHS and the CCGs.

Importantly, we also have staff who have fantastic working relationships with community workers on all levels in Mansfield and district, as well as residents and neighbourhood groups teams. We know our area and are committed to making the communities of Mansfield safe, strong and successful.

The MCVS Team

Vanessa Whitton

Chief Executive Officer
I came back to work for MCVS as the Performance & Strategic Manager after working for Groundwork. I then went on to become the Operations Manager and promoted to CEO on 1 July 2022.

The purpose of my role is to ensure that as an organisation we are effectively delivering on all of the many projects we are involved in. It is also my role to make sure that these projects align with MCVS’s Strategic Plan, as this is where we can really bring about a positive change to the community we serve.

Lesley Watkins

Project Lead
I have been part of the MCVS team since 2006. I previously worked as a Community Development Worker for Vision West Notts. I am passionate about the benefits of lifelong learning and enjoy working with community groups and individuals.

Kirsty Armstrong-Booth

My name is Kirsty and I am a long-time resident of the Mansfield area, living in Mansfield Woodhouse. After a long period in academia at Derby University, I am now using my degrees in Health Psychology to go out into the community to aid the improvement of health in the area. I am going to be working as the new Community Health and Wellbeing Officer, focusing my efforts on the Bellamy Road estate. This is a collaborative position with Mansfield CVS and ABL Health. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead and making a difference.

Stephen Cooper

Project Lead
I am the Project Lead for We are Undefeatable – Mansfield, Safer Streets, One Step at a Time, and the Walk & Talk projects. I also deliver disability equality training and am currently mapping disability services throughout Notts.

Joanne Wakefield

Communications & Marketing Manager
I have extensive experience of working with both the local and national media and also working with many partners, businesses, community members and organisations. My personal life mainly revolves around animals and music!

Max Burrows

Comms & Marketing Assistant
I assist with the Marketing and Communications for the CVS, which gives me a great opportunity to be creative while working. In my spare time I enjoy reading and practice meditation.

Kelly Thackray

Finance Assistant
My name is Kelly and I have worked at Mansfield CVS for 6 years. I am now the Finance Assistant after working as the volunteer coordinator. I have also worked on various projects including Walk and Talk and One Step at a Time. I enjoy the variety of my role and working with fab colleagues.

Kelly Wall

Butterfly EOLC Liaison Officer
I have previously worked in supportive roles with young people and families. I am now looking forward to working on the Butterfly project and providing practical and emotional support to patients and families who are at end of life care.

Daniel Stride

I am an administration volunteer and archivist for the project lead. I like working with MCVS for the chance to build upon my communications skills and to meet new people and to learn about how to help the community more.

Our Board Members

Veronica Cooper (Chair)

I have a background in education after being both a teacher and headteacher which I retired from 5 years ago. I still work part time as an exam invigilator and volunteer 2 days a week in a charity shop. I moved to Mansfield 4 years ago after living on a narrowboat for 15 years. I enjoy reading, films, travelling and like to get involved in helping. I hate doing nothing!

Craig Whitby

I am a district councillor for Manor ward in Mansfield Woodhouse, where I live with my wife and our four kids. I’ve been a software developer for over 20 years and work in Mansfield. I was elected as a councillor for Mansfield District Council in 2019 and hold the roles of Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Corporate and Finance. I am the council appointed board member to MVCS and have taken an active role, particularly with the Community Champions project and supporting the community during the pandemic. My main aim as a board member is to strengthen links with the council and promote the work of MCVS in and around the community.

Peter Clarke

On leaving school at 15 I joined the Army, training as a surveyor, spent 27 years in a variety of roles. On leaving the Army I settled in Mansfield in 1995. From 1995 until I retired in 2018 I have worked in the community and voluntary sector, as a Community Development Worker and Community Development Manager. For my last two years at work, I had the privilege of being the lead officer at Mansfield CVS.

View our latest activities

Living well with Diabetes?

Do you know who your local healthcare professionals are and how they can support you to manage your diabetes?

Bootcamp for Domestic Energy Advice: Winter 2023/24 16 October 2024, 9.30am-1.00pm

This webinar also aims to provide knowledge on government-led measures and schemes for householders.

How can I get involved?

Training Event Form

We will promote your training event via our website training diary, social media, newsletter and database.

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